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Positive FIT - Urgent Colonoscopy, Pathology Referral

Emzyo89
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Hi,

I have had ongoing gastro related issues ever since being seriously ill with Covid in October 2021. I have lost a lot of weight (4.5 Stones) and had a lot of issues immediately after eating including sickness and diarrhoea. This has been ongoing on and off all of this time but since August 2022 its has been persistent.

I completed a FIT test at the end of September due to chronic diarrhoea. My GP made me come in to the practice immediately following a positive FIT test and made an urgent referral to the colorectal team. I had a colonscopy in December without sedation as unfortunately I had a reaction to the bowl prep the night before.

During the colonoscopy they found 'unusual' patches that the nurse specialist advised that she has never seen before. She told me they were circular and discoloured and were predominately found at the start of the colon. They did 18 biopsies which they sent as urgent to pathology. I was advised the report would be done in 2-3weeks. It has been 3 weeks so I called the secretary of the consultant today who advised the report was only finalised yesterday. However, the consultant needs to review it first and will be in touch in due course.

The wait and uncertainty has been almost unbearable. I am desperate to get answers and hopefully solutions to what has been a fairly horrible time. With the amount of biopsies taken, the unusal patches, and what feels like a long time to produce the pathology report I think I have convinced myself its cancer. My family think I am over analysing it all and that no news is good news and that its probably going to be fine. I honestly just need someone to be honest with me and I am not sure how much longer I can realistically wait for answers. Is there anything you can advise on how to keep myself from spiralling with anxiety and worry over the waiting period? Am I over analysing it all or am I justified to be concerned given the signs and symptoms? Thanks in advance

  • Hello Emzyo89 and thanks for posting, 

    I am sorry to learn that you are waiting for biopsy results.

    I think most people in this sort of situation feel unsettled at the very least. Waiting and coping with uncertainty can trigger a lot of stress and worry. It is almost impossible not to overthink things when you have no answers. Do your best to keep an open mind until you have the facts and if cancer crosses your mind try not to let your thinking go any further - it is common for all sorts of future scenarios to play out when we don't know what is going on. 

    I'm afraid I don't know very much about the gastrointestinal effects of long covid, but in general there are often a number of possible explanations when something out of the ordinary is picked up during any test. 

    I am assuming you should hear from the hospital this week or next, and if you haven't, I think you should get back in touch. In the meantime try and actively de-stress with relaxation and activities that help to distract and calm you.  The NHS Every Mind Matters website has some tips, but I'm not sure how useful they will be. 

    Please give us a call if you want to talk anything over. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and we are around weekdays 9-5.

    Wishing you the best,

    Julia

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